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(Miami, Florida, February 12, 2025)—The Viking Yacht Company proudly announces four new models at 50 feet. The 50 Convertible leads the charge, with three more Vikings to come – the Open (O), the Sport Coupe/Sport Tower (SC/ST) and the Billfish (BF).
“No one else in the industry can match our quality and versatility,” says Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “We have the best team of designers, engineers and boatbuilders in the industry. This series of the 50 is going to be an incredible achievement, and one we know our owners will be very pleased with.”
The 50 follows the 48 series, which saw a combined 80 boats delivered, including 55 convertibles and 25 of the Open and SC/ST. This will be the fourth – and the largest – Billfish model. The New Jersey builder has delivered a combined 85 boats across three BF models since launching the series in 2017 with the 37 Billfish. The 38 and 46 followed in 2019, creating a unique market segment for owners looking for sporty, easily maintained yachts ideal for fish-focused owner/operators.
The Sport Coupe and Sport Tower are designed for cruising and fishing, emphasizing the cockpit and a command deck with a three-sided glass enclosure, including an optional aft bulkhead. The Sport Tower incorporates a Palm Beach Towers (PBT) tuna tower into the Sport Coupe design. The Open features a command deck immediately accessible to the cockpit, built with a one-piece wraparound windshield and hardtop; this model is also available with a PBT tower. All are appointed with luxurious staterooms and a full-featured galley and dinette.
The world premiere of the first model—the 50 Convertible—is planned for the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This luxurious three-stateroom battlewagon represents the third generation of the Viking 50. Following Viking Co-founder Bill Healey’s mantra of building a better boat every day, the company delivered nearly 200 boats across its two previous generations.
Throughout the 1990s, Viking built 142 of its Gen I 50 Convertibles, successfully navigating the Luxury Tax (1991-93) and making this model one of its most successful to date. An Open Express version was added in the late '90s, providing owners with more choices in a 50-foot Viking. Introduced at the 2008 Fort Lauderdale show, the second generation of the Viking 50 was an instant success, leading to the delivery of 42 boats.
A 2008 review of the 50 Convertible in Power & Motoryacht described the boat as “advanced in terms of design, power, space utilization, and ride … she provides the one thing Viking has offered consistently for more than 44 years: an agile, speedy, and stable platform for going far and fishing deep.”
That same description fits the newest Viking 50. "We're constantly innovating – designing, refining, and engineering to improve upon what we've done," says Pat. "We've been at the top of this market for decades. The Viking 50 is the result of all its predecessors."
Design/Construction
The 50 Convertible shares many design traits with the latest larger Vikings: flush foredeck for increased safety; modified upper chine and aggressive strakes for improved spray deflection and a dry ride, stylish feature lines on the hull, deckhouse, and bridge; and recessed salon windows highlighted with radiused perimeters.
The flybridge features a streamlined walk-around center console with a recessed black acrylic dash holding two 22-inch touchscreen Multifunction Displays (MFDs). The captain has excellent sightlines to the cockpit, and a dropdown electronics box can be integrated into the fiberglass hardtop, just forward of another space dedicated for teaser reels.
A lounge – with armrests and drink holders – is integrated into the forward section of the console, with storage beneath. Additional padded bench seating is to port and starboard. Immediately to starboard of the helm is a refrigerated drink box.
The 50's length-to-beam ratio has been optimized for maximum speed and a soft, dry ride. "Experience with previous models, feedback from owners, ocean testing and the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics all contribute to the performance of this boat," says Viking Design Manager David Wilson. "It's a never-ending design spiral of improvement."
To maximize strength and minimize weight, specific construction materials and methods are utilized to build the Viking 50. The hull along with all tankage (fuel, water and waste) and structural bulkheads are resin-infused to optimize the fiberglass-to-resin ratio, achieving exceptional strength.
Additional construction techniques, such as Light Resin Transfer Molding, along with the incorporation of various core materials – with specific densities based on their location – and the use of carbon fiber increase overall build quality and ensure industry-leading fit and finish. Significant weight savings have also been achieved with specially selected interior woods. Throughout the hull, a modified vinylester/epoxy resin is employed for blister protection and improved structural performance.
Cockpit
The business end centers around the 131-square-foot cockpit, which is equipped with large, insulated in-deck fish boxes that can be refrigerated. The transom holds a live well that doubles as a fish box or a place to store gear. Anglers have toe-kick space in every direction and rounded coamings for comfort. The boat is engineered for the installation of a Seakeeper 10 or 14, with the unit mounted in a dedicated space on centerline in the lazarette, protected by a watertight lid with compression latches.
There's a freezer under the mezzanine's lounge seat, along with a cooler beneath the step. On centerline, you have access to the engineroom. On the port side, there’s additional cooler storage and a tackle cabinet. The flybridge overhang provides shade.
The cockpit also features a transom door with a lift gate, recessed stainless steel cleats with corner hawsepipes for easy line handling and power cord management. The coamings are fitted with four flush-mounted rod holders (with the option for more) and optional haunch rod holders.
Accommodations
Step into the salon, and you'll be delighted by its open-concept, contemporary design that accentuates the natural light flowing through the large windows. The interior's horizontal grain walnut can be ordered in high gloss or satin. In keeping with its clean, spacious styling, the salon features overhead strip LED lighting bordered by walnut.
To port, you'll find an L-shaped lounge and a walnut cocktail table. The 43-inch HD TV is perfectly positioned on the forward starboard bulkhead for easy viewing. New to this size of Viking is a raised dinette, which provides excellent visibility outside and storage for 7-foot rods in a slide-out drawer below.
Another convenience is the standard icemaker, located at the inboard end of the peninsula-style galley's countertop. There’s also a refrigerator and a freezer under the counter, each with two pull-out drawers. The galley is appointed with a stainless steel sink, a Miele four-burner cooktop and cabinet storage above (that includes a standard microwave oven) and below.
Our interior designers are constantly striving to provide you with the utmost comfort while maximizing the interior volume. Depending on your choice of accommodation plan, you can comfortably sleep up to nine people on the 50. The master stateroom is appointed with a walkaround queen bed, a 32-inch HD TV and an ensuite head with a large shower.
A spacious forward stateroom can be appointed with either a queen bed or a crossover arrangement featuring a double lower bunk and a single upper bunk. The second guest stateroom, located aft on the starboard side, features upper and lower bunks and private access to the guest head, which is shared with the forward stateroom. Storage is plentiful throughout the staterooms, with cavernous compartments beneath the queen berths, hanging lockers and other cabinet spaces.
Performance/Engineroom
The 50 will deliver exceptional speed, power and acceleration, powered by either standard 1000MHP or optional 1200MHP MAN engines. Optimus Electronic Power Steering provides precise, immediate response. "The boat is ideal for the owner/operator or owner who wants to have a captain for tournament fishing or extended trips," adds Wilson. “She’ll be fast, with nimble maneuverability and easily maintained.”
No one designs and executes an engineroom like Viking, delivering unmatched installation and access to the powerplants, ship's systems, plumbing and electrical components and distribution panels. Fire suppression, engineroom ventilation and oil-changing systems come standard. Composite seacocks eliminate corrosion, increasing longevity and decreasing weight.
She’s equipped with a standard 21.5 kW generator. Each seawater fed system, including the Seakeeper, AC/refrigeration and live wells, are equipped with dedicated pumps. In addition, conveniences and maintenance technologies found on larger Vikings—including optional ElectroSea Clearline, omni-directional sonar capability, ice and water makers and water purifier systems—are available. The engines are mounted to stringers that are reinforced with integrated aluminum for a strong, clean installation.
Atlantic Marine Electronics will provide top-notch custom navigation, communication, entertainment, safety and fishfinding equipment for your boat, while Palm Beach Towers will be ready to install a tournament-ready tuna tower. These Viking companies ensure turnkey delivery and customer satisfaction, while our service facilities will keep your yacht in top condition.
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